Oscar nominations 2022: Drive My Car, the Japanese film in the Best Picture category is the big surprise

The Japanese film Drive My Car directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi has surprised many with its nomination in the Best Picture category. It is accompanied by films such as Belfast, Coda, Don't Look Up, Dune, King Richard, Licorice Pizza, Nightmare Alley, The Power of the Dog, and West Side Story.

The film has also been nominated for Directing, International Feature Film. Drive My Car is about a widowed actor, who is ageing. He approaches his mechanic for driver recommendations. He is introduced to a 20-year-old girl, and despite initial misgivings, the two develop a special bond. 

Drive My Car has had its run at the other film festivals including The Cannes, where it was selected to compete for Palme d'Or at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, where it won three awards, including Best Screenplay. The film also won the Best Foreign Language Film at the 79th Golden Globe Awards.

The inclusion of Drive My Car has also become a part of the diversity debate.